Chapter 2 – First draft.

Amee turned on her side with a groan. She reached over and slapped her hand down on her alarm clock. She felt like she could sleep another eight hours. The morning sunlight poured through her curtains, the harsh glare making her squint as she tried to see what time her alarm clock said. 7:43 AM. She had time for five more minutes of sleep. She closed her eyes, intent upon getting some more sleep.

She groaned again as she felt the weight of four legs pounce on her chest. She felt a cold nose poking her in the chin.

“Mischief, let me sleep.”

She tried to push the cat away. Mischief wasn’t having any of that. Within seconds she was back on Amee’s chest pawing at her chin with her grey furred paw. Amee sighed, and rubbed Mischief beneath the ears.

“Guess I’m getting up whether I want to or not huh?”

Amee looked at Mischief intently. Mischief meowed loudly in response.

“You are a pain in the butt, furball. Whoever named you Mischief got it right.”

Amee sighed again and rubbed her face in Mischief’s soft fur. Mischief’s only response was a loud purring sound. Amee sat up. Mischief jumped off her and onto the bed and sat down looking at Amee expectantly. Amee sighed again. Then she stood up and walked towards the bathroom. Mischief followed along beside Amee’s feet.

Amee walked into the bathroom, and Mischief jumped up onto the back of the toilet. Watching Amee’s every move. Amee glanced down at Mischief.

“It’s like mom’s trained you to get me out of the house in the morning.”

Mischief meowed at her. Amee meowed back. Mischief curled up and got comfortable putting her chin on her paws. Amee pushed the shower curtain aside and got in, she gave a sigh of relief as the hot water started to fall on her head. Amee relaxed enjoying the spray of water, she let her mind wander back to the battle last night. Amee thought,

“Sam is going to be furious I vanished when I did, we had them on the run, Amee frowned to herself. Of course the battle shoul..”

“Amee!”

Her train of thought was broken by her mother yelling at her.

“Hurry up you’re going to be late for school.”

Amee grumbled to herself, getting out of the shower. Her mother always ruined her mornings. A morning without a good hot shower meant the rest of her day was ruined. Amee squished her toes into the bath mat, it was so soft. It was actually the only thing in the bathroom Amee liked. Otherwise she found it pretentious. Her mother did everything that way. Like anyone cared whether Amee’s personal bathroom was decorated in early Victorian, or rubber ducks.

“Amee!”

She heard her mother’s voice again.

“I’m coming!”

Amee screamed.

Amee tugged her brush through her hair furiously. She’s always on my back.

“You’re going to be late. You’re never going to get to college. Your sister and brother are never late.”

Amee heard her mother yelling at her again, she made a face and turned up the hairdryer to drown her mother out. Amee looked in the mirror with a deep sigh tugging at her hair blonde hair with her brush one last time. Amee slipped her glasses over her ears. Amee looked at herself in the mirror.

“I am so fat and ugly, why am I trying out for the cheerleading squad?

Amee asked the mirror.

“Why do I even bother going to school, everyone hates me.”

Amee sighed putting her hands on her chin.

“Amee it’s quarter after eight. You’re going to be late!”

Amee leaned her head out of the bathroom. And screamed back.

“I’m coming!”

Mischief gave a meow of discontent. Amee glared at Mischief waving her brush in at the cat.

“You, shut it.”

Mischief gave another meow and turned away from Amee and laid back down. Amee pulled her baggy fleece hoodie on over her t-shirt, and tugged her pants on. Amee opened the bathroom door and grabbed her school bag and walked towards the kitchen. Mischief bounded after her, and settled down to a safe following distance. Amee tossed her bag down beside the kitchen table and sat down. Mischief jumped onto of the table and settled down for another nap.

“Does your cat have to jump on the table?”

Amee’s mother picked up Mischief and dropped her on the ground.

“She wasn’t doing any harm.”

Amee leaned down and ruffled Mischief’s hair.

“She gets cat fur on everything, including our food. You should have more common sense.”

Amee’s mother pulled out a lint brush to get the cat hair off of her blazer. Amee started eating the eggs that their cook had made for her.

“Do you see where your late nights playing your video games get you?”

Her mother went on.

“It’s almost twenty after eight and you are barely eating breakfast.”

Amee kept her mouth full of eggs trying to fight the urge to snap at her mother, it would just get her an extended lecture, and she didn’t feel like living through the director’s cut this morning.

“When I was your age, I was at school at least fifteen minutes early every morning, to make sure I had everything ready for class.”

Amee swallowed her last mouthful, and glared at her mother.

“Not everyone can be as perfect as you, mom!”

Amee’s mother frowned deeply.

“Amee I am just trying to prepare you for the real world.”

“Like you’ve ever lived in the real world, Senator.”

Amee shoved her plate away and stood up.

“You don’t seem to understand that what you do now will affect the rest of your life.”

Amee’s mother picked up her plate putting it in the sink.

“If you’d only look at your brother and sister, you might see an example of how to succeed.”

Amee made a face.

“Like you care, why don’t you just give me up for lost and focus on your two perfect kids.”

“Why does it always have to be so dramatic with you, Amee?”

Her mother seemed to be searching for something.

“A man, to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively.”

Amee quoted Shelly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Amee’s mother looked up from her notebook case.

“Exactly.”

Amee said as she stood up.

“Amee you’re fifteen, start trying to act like it, I don’t have time to discuss this now, I have a flight.”

Amee’s mother said.

“Maybe if you were home more, I might be more perfect.”

Amee made a face.

“Amee, I am a Senator, and a presidential Candidate, I have responsibilities, you’ll understand once you’re older.”

Amee’s mother’s tone was a fairly clear indication she was done with this argument.

“You, your father, and I will have this discussion when I get home.”

Amee rolled her eyes, a lecture from the colonel that’s all she needed. She picked up her school bag and slung it over her shoulder, and left the kitchen without another word. She looked at the time on her cell phone, 8:30 am.

“Damn!”

She rushed out the backdoor. Amee ran through the yard, and through the loose fencing and down their back alley. She heard the diesel engine of the bus heading her way.

“I can make it!”

Amee rushed towards the bus stop, waving her hand that driver.

“Stop! Stop!”

Amee cried out but the bus roared by.

“Nuts. I’m going to be late.”

Amee leaned against the bus stop trying to catch her breath.

“You’re going to be late. More like I’m going to make you late by giving you a pointless lecture!”

Amee kicked her running shoe against the plastic bus shelter. Her face grew red with anger. Amee reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone and put the buds in her ears. Amee picked goth from her play list and closed her eyes. As the dark tones poured over her, she started to calm down.

“Ophelia.”

Amee thought,

“Why couldn’t I be more like her, her voice is so magical. Not to mention she’s beautiful.”

Amee sighed. Amee opened her eyes when she heard the bus approaching. I can’t help thinking I’m forgetting something. Amee pondered silently.

She flashed her student pass and sat down near the middle of the bus. It was pretty deserted. She allowed her forehead to press against the glass once she was sure there was no one worth noticing. She closed her eyes again. She loved Ophelia’s voice, and her songs moved her so. It was like reading the classic’s she loved so much. I wish I had even an ounce of the feelings she puts into every moment of her music. She opened her eyes looking at her reflection in the glass window of the bus. She traced it with her finger.

“He said. she has a lovely face; God in your mercy lend her grace.”

She looked at the trees as they passed.

“The Lady of the Shalott.”

A male voice, with a British accent, said from behind her. Amee jolted from her reverie and turned to see who was speaking. It was a handsome man, brown eyes, a wave of dark hair, probably in his early thirties, he wore a stylish suit, it looked expensive. Amee pulled her earbuds out with a solid yank.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

He smiled. Amee was enamored by the smile.

“A bit morbid for a girl your age isn’t it?”

Amee fixed her hair self-consciously.

“I always thought it was beautiful, but sad.”

“Sad, yes, but you are right, there is beauty in it.”

He nodded.

“Out of Tennyson’s works I find the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ to be more to my liking.”

Amee was in love. Handsome, charming, and he reads classical literature.

“Douglas Shaw”

He offered his hand.

Amee shook it. Her eyes avoiding his.

“Amee.”

“Again, my apologies for interrupting your morning bus ride. It’s just a rare occurrence to hear a teen quoting classical literate of their own accord.”

He chuckled.

“I commend you on your worldliness.”

Amee blushed.

“Well this is my stop.”

Douglas pressed the button to indicate he needed to get off.

“Be careful out there, would be a shame to have such a brilliant young woman lost before she could dazzle the world.”

He stood up as the bus stopped and got off. All Amee could manage was a shy wave. The bus pulled away and Amee watched Douglas enter a lawyer’s office. She sighed as he passed out of sight. “I’m hopeless.” She leaned her head against the window again, watching the world pass by. Wonder what a guy in a suit like that was doing on public transit? And what did he mean by be careful? She sighed again.

Amee’s could see a milling crowd of students on the school grounds.

“Not late yet.”

She said to herself. She took a deep breath and stepped off the bus. Amee walked across the parking lot. She saw her sister, Amber, leaning on her boyfriends Porsche. She was surrounded by a gaggle of her friends. Amee waved, but her sister didn’t acknowledge her presence.

Of course ignore your freak sister.

Amee thought. She walked up the school steps dodging a couple that were sharing a last kiss before class. She heard someone yell.

“Watch out.”

She didn’t react assuming they wouldn’t be talking to her and she felt a sharp pain in her back of her head. She looked around and noticed a football a few feet away. She looked behind her, and saw Gabriel, who promptly apologized.

“Sorry about that, arm’s acting up today.”

He winked.

“Could you toss me the ball?”

Amee felt her stomach turn. Gabriel was so friendly, and good looking. She got nervous. Amee promptly turned back towards the school doors and finished her walk up the stairs. Amee walked through the metal detectors. She’d just made it through them when she heard them go off. She looked around to see who had caused the sensor to complain, it was a youngish looking man in a dark suit. The security guard looked surprised and went to stop the man. The man flashed a badge, and then gently but firmly took Amee’s arm and tugged her aside.

“Ms. Morris, what were you thinking this morning?”

“What? Huh?”

Amee asked looking confused.

“I’m Agent Johnson, US Secret Service. You were supposed to ride with me to school.”

“What are you talking about? My mom isn’t president yet.”

Amee said, she narrowed her eyes at the young agent.

“I understand the confusion, however, we have reason to believe you may be in danger. The president has authorized protection for you, your brother and your sister until such time as the election is held, or the person issuing the threats is apprehended. This was all covered in the package we gave Senator Morris to pass on to you it explains schedules and protection details.”

It was Amee’s turn to look confused.

“I don’t remember a package.”

She reached into her bag sifting through papers, she found a crumbled heap at the bottom, an envelope. She pulled it out.

“You mean this?”

Amee watched Agent Johnson’s face fall.

“Yes I mean that. You really should review the information in it, we will do our part but we have to count on you to have some common sense. Like meeting up with your escort at the appointed time, and not taking public transit.”

Amee had tuned the Agent out after the first five words. She heard Gabriel talking to her sister as they passed in a group.

“Did I do something to your sister to make her hate me?”

“Na, she’s just a freak.”

“Hey, she’s trying out for the Cheerleading squad isn’t she?”

Asked one of Amber’s friends.

“Yep, she probably won’t make it, but I’ve done everything I can.”

“Didn’t have a lot to work with?”

Amee lost the rest of the conversation as the group went into a classroom. Why am I trying out for the cheerleading team anyway? So the school can look at my fat ass? Amee thought. She heard the bell ring, indicating classes were starting shortly afterwards. She snapped out of her daze.

Agent Johnson was still talking.

“Furthermore, you-”

Amee started to make a dash for class.

“Where are you going?”

He asked, giving her a look of indignation. Amee didn’t respond she ran towards her class.

Amee finally slipped into her math class, a full three minutes after the bell sounded. She was out of breath. She started to walk quietly to her desk. She heard Mr. Thomas speak behind her.

“That’s the second time this week you’ve been late, Ms. Morris.”

There were a few chuckles in the classroom. Amee closed her eyes. She hated Mr. Thomas. She’d always thought of him as her personal Grendel. Amee slide into her seat and pulled out her book. He was such a sour looking man. She often pondered if math did that to a person, made their face shrink, and robbed them of their humanity. She imagined him turning into an automaton and with the last shreds of his humanity he realizes what he’s lost. He was an evil man. By forcing them to study math he robbed them of their souls.

“Settle down class.”

Mr. Thomas tapped his pen on his desk. He picked up a piece of paper.

“The third piece of information I need to pass along is that we are having a food drive…”

Amee had already tuned him out and started doodling in her math book.

“Amee Morris?”

Amee looked up from her book, she blinked in confusion. She was sure that wasn’t the first time he had called her name. Every eye in the room was on her.

“So glad you decided to join the class, what is the answer to homework question one?”

Amee stared up at Mr. Thomas blank-faced. She blushed deeply as the rest of the class had a good laugh at her expense. Mr. Thomas motioned for the class to quiet down.

“The answer, Ms. Morris?”

Amee looked down at the blank homework assignment before her, ivy scribbled up the sides and a princess hiding from a dragon, but no answer to the question. She looked at the question. 20 – 3x = 4x2. Six Amee tried to do the math in her mind but she frankly had no idea how to do the math, it was a foreign language to her. Amee bit her lip gently.

“Six?” The class laughed again.

Sure make fun of the fat stupid girl…make yourselves feel better. Amee furiously scratched her pencil into the assignment.

“Someone who did the homework please correct Ms. Morris.”

Mr. Thomas looked about the classroom. Amee’s best friend put up her hand.

“Ms. Hills?”

“It’s negative four.”

She gave Amee a sympathetic look. Amee nodded slightly. April was a good friend. She would’ve have given Amee the answer if they were sitting together. But Mr. Thomas had separated the pair the second day of class. Amee assumed he’d gotten tired of not being able to mock her.

“Correct. Who has the answer to question two?”

Mr. Thomas looked around the class. Amee settled down to her doodles again, apparently Mr. Thomas had finished tormenting her for the day. After what seemed like forever, Amee heard the school bell ring, indicating it was time to go to the next class. Amee packed her books and walked towards the classroom exit.

“Ms. Morris, come here for a minute.”

Mr. Thomas closed his own notebook. Amee walked over, thinking, What’s it to be today the lash, the wheel or perhaps the iron maiden? She spoke before she caught herself, her tone irate.

“What?”

“Frankly Ms. Morris, Amee, you’re disrespect for authority is wearing thin, why didn’t you do the assignment?”

Mr. Thomas gave Amee a stern look.

“I had to save the world.”

Amee muttered.

“Very funny, don’t think for a moment your mother’s position gives you any leeway in this classroom.”

Mr. Thomas’s tone was more serious than she was used too.

“You have a free period at the end of the day, you will come here and you will do your homework assignment for tomorrow before you leave.”

“But-”Amee started

“Ms. Morris, it wasn’t a request.”

“You can’t do thi-”

Amee managed to get out before being interrupted again.

“I can, I have and I will. You are failing this class Ms. Morris. I’d rather not have to explain to a Senator who is on the Committee for Education, why her daughter failed my mathematics class.”

Mr. Thomas put his notebook away.

“Now get to your next class, I will see you this afternoon.”

Amee bit her lip so she didn’t blast him. He had no right! She stalked towards the classroom door. She swung it open with all the force she could muster.

“That-”

“That what, Ames?”

Amee heard from beside her as she exited the classroom.

“I don’t know I haven’t found a word to describe how evil that man is.”

Amee said trying to conceal the fury in her voice.

April laughed.

“Calm down, next year you’re probably going to be at some private school and he’ll be a distant memory.”

Amee looked up at her best friend. April was a stark contrast to herself. She had long black hair, she spent hours on make-up, and her parents were barely making ends meet, not to mention she was an ace at math, or anything she tried for that matter.

“Hardly, the Senator prides herself on us going to fine public institutions. The ones she supports her funding cuts to.”

Amee walked to her locker.

“Look my children go to the public schools and I am supporting these cuts, we need to trim the fat.”

Amee mocked her mother.

“Well there is a bright side; you and I can still hang out together then.”

April exchanged her books.

“For an emo girl you sure have a cheery disposition.”

Amee exchanged her own books.

“It comes from accepting my place in the world.”

April laughed. And the pair walked towards the English classroom. Amee sat down beside April and pulled out her books.

“I believe we were working act five today, class.”

Mrs. Hope opened her copy of King Henry the Forth part one.

“I am going to assume everyone has read it over last night, did anyone recognize anything they’ve heard before?”

Amee put up her hand.

“Amee?”

“Food for worms. It’s often quoted.”

Amee answered, she loved English.

“Excellent, yes, another quote that may or may not have caught your attention is the soliloquy by Falstaff at the end of scene one. Although his view probably conflicts with the general consensus of heroic behavior, he does bear a good point. So, our assignment for this month is an essay on Honor. Compare and contrast society’s view of honor, with Falstaff’s.”

Amee’s face was the only one in the classroom that lit up. She noticed the rest of the class looked confused. Mrs. Hope noticed it too.

“Take for example the terrorist attacks on 9/11, by Falstaff’s viewpoint the people who entered the trade center to rescue others were fools, but to our society they were heroes. We honor them still, but what does that mean to them, now that they are ‘food for worms’? In Falstaff’s viewpoint it gives them nothing. But to a hero, as we consider one, they do not care about what happens afterwards, or the risk involved, it’s the moment, the fact that a life can be saved. At least that is how our society views them. Pick an example of heroism, from literature, or from the real world, tell me why that hero, or those heroes, chose to ignore what common sense told them, what the voice of reason, in this case, Falstaff told them.”

Amee was already writing furiously. English class passed with them finishing the discussion on the end of King Henry the IV. Amee started put her books away and slung her bag over her shoulder, she started to leave the English classroom.

“Amee.”

She heard Mrs. Hope call. Amee stopped and walked back to Mrs. Hope.

“Amee, thank you for staying we need to discuss the current assignment.”

“I’ll get it done Mrs. Hope.”

“I know you would get it done, but I’m going to give you a pass, it seems you are having trouble with Math and Science, so much so that your teachers have requested the rest of us lighten your homework load.”

Mrs. Hope smiled. Amee frowned, Mr. Thomas had robbed her of her one joy in life, did his evil know no bounds?

“This was supposed to be good news, Amee.”

“But, I can do the essay too.”

“Trust me you will have enough essay’s to write in your lifetime. You can skip one. This doesn’t mean you can stop doing the reading assignments though.”

Amee nodded and made her way out of the classroom. April was nowhere in sight.

She must have gone to the cafeteria already. Amee thought as she walked in that direction. Amee noticed April waving to her from line.

“What do you want?”

April held her hand out.

Amee looked over the menu. She pulled out a few crumpled bills and placed them in April’s hand.

“Garden Salad, low fat dressing and a water.”

“Okay. Grab us a seat.”

April started putting together their order while Amee walked off to get a seat in the most deserted area she could find. She pulled her math workbook out, and started trying to answer the first question, it wasn’t long before started doing doodles again. Her mind wandered to her argument with her mother last night. How could she forget the Secret Service were providing a guard for her.

“Earth to Amee.”

Amee looked up at April, she didn’t know how long she’d been sitting across from her.

“You are such a space cadet, Amee.”

April shook her head.

“Sorry, was just thinking about stuff.”

Amee pulled the lid off her salad and started putting her dressing on it.

“You and your mom at it again?”

April gave Amee a sympathetic look.

“Ya, she got me so mad I forgot I was supposed to have a Secret Service escort today.”

Amee picked at her salad.

“No way. Is he good looking?”

April looked at Amee expectantly.

“I guess.”

Amee sighed.

“You guess, is hardly as descriptive as you can manage.”

April poured her gravy over her fries. Amee shrugged.

“Okay it must have been a big fight this morning.”

Amee shrugged.

“No bigger than usual. It’s just been a rough day, Mr. Thomas, and Mrs. Hong have asked Mrs. Hope to give me a break on some of my English homework so she’s given me a pass on my essay this month.”

April laughed.

“And you are moping, why?”

“I like writing, it’s what I’m good at, I just don’t comprehend math, I mean who the hell cares what X equals?”

Amee stuffed a fork full of lettuce in her mouth.

“Math isn’t that hard Amee.”

April ate a few fries.

“And it’s important. I bet you do it all the time on that game you play, you need X-many troops to protect something or other. You need to do X damage every volley or the dragon will win.”

Amee shook her head.

“That’s different.”

“Not in the least.”

April tugged Amee’s math assignment towards her.

“You just won’t let yourself see it. Think outside the box, don’t be a zombie. Interesting picture, but I don’t think Mr. Thomas is going to accept that as an answer.”

Amee took a drink of her water.

“Just help me do this so I can use my spare reading, please?”

April frowned.

“I always help you, and then when you are left to your own devices you fail the test, me doing your work isn’t teaching you anything.”

Amee pouted. April gave her a dirty look.

“That isn’t fair, Look this is simple word math, same thing we did yesterday, just have to pick the unknown, and that’s the X.”

Amee tried to concentrate on what April was telling her, she could never focus when it came to math, but finally just before the end of lunch, they finished the assignment. Amee trudged towards her last class, her brain thoroughly defeated by the lunchtime mathathon. Science. Yet another member of the unholy alliance of math. Hand in hand they conspired to rob her of imagination. Amee sat down. April wasn’t in this class, she was lucky enough to get into art before it filled up.

“Welcome everyone!”

Mrs. Hong said as the bell rung.

Amee rolled her eyes, could the woman sound more excited?

“Lets’ get our lab manuals out, and turn to page nine, today we are going to discuss diffusion!”

Mrs. Hong showed everyone the page.

Amee tried not to gag. Mrs. Hong could be a televangelist for science. In fact Amee often imagined her on a podium waving her hands fervently trying to convert the unbelievers before her. Amee’s lab partner, Simon, looked over the lab studiously. She was quite sure if it wasn’t for him she would be failing this class too, or would have long since been kicked out for damaging too much equipment. She was a clumsy oaf at times, though most often she was accused of daydreaming too much. Amee’s mind drifted off again. She pictured Mrs. Hong, and Mr. Thomas in Nazi uniforms, only the patch on the arm was a plus sign.

“What is the answer to question one!”

Mr. Thomas’s usual boring voice was now thickly accented with German. Amee looked between the pair, she was speechless.

“She’s not talking!”

“We have ways to make you talk!”

Mrs. Hong said, with a thick German accent. Amee felt someone shake her shoulder gently.

“Umm, Amee, can you go get the beakers?”

“Ya, sorry, Simon.”

Amee went and got the two beakers they needed.

“It’s okay, just take notes, I’ll take care of this.”

Simon started putting together the apparatus. Amee nodded. Amee sighed with relief once the class was over. Amee leaned against her locker. Her day’s torment was almost at an end, she walked to the Library and found a corner to hide in. She lost herself in Dante’s Inferno. She was rudely drawn out of her fantasy world when the book was snatched from her hands.

“Ms. Morris, it seems you forgot our appointment.”

Mr. Thomas closed her book.

“I…err…”

Amee dug through her bag for the assignment she did at lunch. How could I forget to hand that in! Amee held out the paper.

“Yes, I thought you would have a wonderful excuse.”

Mr. Thomas looked at the paper before him, and took it from her hand.

“I see your friend has helped you complete it. The point was Ms. Morris that you would complete it alone.”

Mr. Thomas put her book down.

“Tomorrow, on your spare period you will come to my classroom and work through the homework assignment. Don’t be late”

Amee nodded.

“Excellent.”

Mr. Thomas walked away. Amee sagged in her chair. Even her personal reading time was no longer sacred. She stood up and grabbed her bag. At least the day was over and she could go online and pretend she wasn’t clumsy, stupid, and fat. Amee was almost to the exit when she felt her bag get rudely tugged.

“Hey!”

Amee said tugging back, the shock of the tug overriding her usual shyness.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

Amber let go of Amee’s bag now that she had her attention.

“Home?”

Amee adjusted her school bag.

“You chicken.”

Amber narrowed her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

Amee narrowed her own eyes.

“I’m talking about cheerleading tryouts, the ones you signed up for tonight?”

Amber shook her head.

Amee’s eyes widened, she’d completely spaced.

“I forgot my cloths at home.”

It wasn’t necessarily an excuse she really had forgotten to pack them this morning.

“Good thing I figured you’d forget, I brought some with me.”

Amber gave Amee a gentle shove towards the change rooms. Amee opened her mouth to give protest.

“You are going to go through with this or I’ll tell mom.”

Amee was sure she heard a hint of glee in her sister’s voice.

*****

Douglas sat down at his desk. He pondered the short meeting he had with Amee. She didn’t seem special in any way. She could quote classics, but any elitist want to be could manage that. He shook his head and picked up the telephone. He dialled the number that Mr. McDonald had provided, it rang twice and then it picked up.

“Hello, this is Douglas Shaw, I’m calling for Mr. McDonald.” Douglas waited for a response.

“Ah yes Mr. Shaw, this is Mr. McDonald, do you have news?” Douglas silently cursed his memory, he had been told that he would only be dealing with McDonald directly.

“Yes Sir, I made contact with Amee today, with all due respect, are you sure she’s the girl you are looking for?” Douglas held his breath, questioning his new client may not be a good idea, but his code of honour required it.

“Yes, I am quite certain. Why do you ask? Did she fail to impress you?” Albert asked, Douglas could tell from the tone it was a loaded question.

“No, Sir, she did not impress me.” Douglas was honest, being a yes man wouldn’t get him far with a man like Albert.

“There is your first mistake, Mr. Shaw, never underestimate anyone. I guarantee she will impress you before our dealings are done. If you would rather I hire someone else, speak up now Shaw.” Albert sounded almost giddy.

“No, Sir, I am still on the job, I just wanted to ensure I was after the right target. Assuming only causes issues later on.” Douglas pondered if McDonald was entirely sane.

“Excellent. I am afraid that I have to add a wrench to our original bargain: Someone has made threats against Senator Morris and her family. The president has assigned a special detail of Secret Service to guard them.” Douglas started tapping his pen on the desk again, that made things far more complicated.

“Yes that does make things more difficult. Do they have any clue who the threats are from?” Douglas started planning out an alternate plan of attack, approaching her slowly and gaining her trust would be near impossible with Secret Service agents looking over her shoulder at every hour of the day.

“The Senator was instrumental in foiling a terrorist attack. Unfortunately several civilians were harmed, as I understand it their families are the ones responsible, but if the president is issuing a guard for her, then that means the threats are credible.” Albert sounded slightly frustrated.

“It is a setback, Sir: That is all. I had hoped to approach her and gain her trust gradually. Are there any methods you’d prefer not be used?” Douglas kept tapping his pen as he spoke into the receiver.

“Mr. Shaw, I would prefer we handle this diplomatically, her cooperation would be quite helpful. However, if we have no alternative you may use any method at your disposal so long as she is in my possession and alive. I will be honest if half of what we suspect about this girl is true, you will find that you will need to use any and all the resources you have access to, to acquire her.” Douglas wore a perplexed look, there had been no mention of the girl being dangerous.

“Sir, is there something else I need to know about her?” Douglas asked openly.

“Suspicions and unsubstantiated theories, none of which would have mattered before this threat happened, if I think it will make a difference I will notify you of anything that will be of concern.” Albert’s tone was dismissive.

“Alright Sir, perhaps I should just observe, is there any way I could have access to surveillance team?” Douglas used his smoothest tone.

“Of course, I’ll have a team contact you within the hour. I’ll make sure you have our best men.” Albert sounded proud.

“Thank you sir, I’ll give you another report once I know something useful, or have the girl.” Douglas tapped his pen on the glass desk top, a plan was starting to form.

“I look forward to it.” Douglas set the receiver down after Albert disconnected the call. A plan indeed.